Bear River moves to head of pack in early going

The Bear River Bruins have jumped to the forefront in the Pioneer Valley League with four victories and no losses in preseason play.

Bear River scored 60 or more points in its first three games for convincing wins over Dixon (60-42), Head-Royce (64-51) and American Canyon (69-46). San Rafael gave the Bruins a bit of a scare before falling 55-52 to the Lake of the Pines club.

Bear River’s Justin Beskeen scored a phenomenal 31 points a game in the run. The 6 foot, 6 inch senior forward has also pulled down an average of 7.3 boards per contest.

COLFAX

The Falcons are off to a fast start at 3-1 this season. The club appears to be vastly improved over last year’s 10-17 team with just one win in the PVL.

Colfax has nine seniors on the team with 12 players ranging from 6-1 to 6-7 in height.

PLACER

Before being stunned 72-40 by Enterprise at the Harlan Carter Tournament Dec. 1, the Hillmen beat Roseville (65-57), Liberty Christian (78-63) and Shasta 58-38 to post a 3-1 record in preseason.

Head coach Mark Lee has eight players returning from last year’s team including senior Isaiah Pineiro who averaged more than 14 points a game last season.

FOOTHILL

After graduating their two top scorers from last year, the 2011-12 PVL champions are off to a slow start this season dropping two of their first three games.

Although the Mustangs have lost to Jesuit (50-46) and Rio Americano (62-56) they are averaging nearly 60 points a game – highest in the PVL. Senior Anthony Williams, the No. 3 scoring Mustang from last year’s team, is scoring 20 points a game this year. However, the scoring is being carried by just five players.

CENTER

The Cougars are having their woes this season dropping their first four games and still looking for their first win.

Center graduated their top five scoring players from the PVL’s No. 2 team last year. This season the load has been carried by seniors Xavier Howell and Isaiah Jones averaging slightly more than 10 points a game.

However, 11 of the team’s 16 players have put up points so far this season. The Cougars do not lack in height (12 players ranging from 6-0 to 6-10) but they have yet to turn size into victories this preseason.